Mom who allegedly blamed toddler for 3-month-old’s injuries faces capital murder charge
10/31/2024 11:58 am PDT
AUSTIN, Texas (TCN) -- A mother is in custody on suspicion of injuring her infant daughter, killing the baby’s twin sister, and lying to authorities about how the injuries occurred.
According to a news release from the Austin Police Department, on the night of March 10, officers, fire personnel, and EMS responded to a report of an unresponsive 3-month-old baby at an apartment complex on North Lamar Boulevard. The infant was transported to a hospital and pronounced deceased several days later, on March 15.
Further investigation revealed the victim’s twin sister sustained "non-accidental injuries." Child abuse detectives arrested Brittney Bailey on an initial charge of injury to a child in connection with the twin sister’s wounds, but she hadn’t been charged in connection with the other baby’s death at the time.
According to new details in court documents reviewed by KVUE-TV, Bailey told authorities her deceased daughter rolled off the bed and began to vomit after she had changed her diaper. The 3-month-old became unresponsive after Bailey allegedly gave her some children’s pain reliever.
KVUE reports that Bailey blamed the decedent’s injuries on her 17-month-old daughter, claiming the toddler threw a cellphone at the infant while playing. However, medical professionals reportedly determined the baby’s injuries were not consistent with Bailey’s claims. During questioning, authorities allegedly confronted Bailey that an investigation did not corroborate her statement. She reportedly asked to use the bathroom before leaving and failed to finish the interview.
Per court documents obtained by KVUE, investigators allege Bailey searched "how do I know if my baby has been hurt or shooken" online days before the 3-month-old sustained her injuries. Physicians reportedly concluded the infant’s injuries were consistent with a traumatic head injury and were indicative of previous head trauma. The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the baby girl’s death a homicide due to blunt head trauma on Oct. 4.
In addition to the injury to a child charge, records show Bailey now faces a count of capital murder. She remains held in the Travis County Jail on $600,000 bond.
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